Ethics in the Emergency Department

摘要

Emergency Medicine (EM), the branch of medicine that deals with the evaluation and initial management of trauma and acute sudden illnesses, is a relatively young and dynamic discipline. Medical ethics is inter-twined with the concepts of professionalism and serve as the mortar for professional behaviour for Emergency Physicians. The central concept of ethical practice in the Emergency Department (ED) is discussed here, including principles involving Beneficence, Autonomy, Fairness, Nonmaleficence, Informed Consent, Refusal of Care and Futility. A general framework in approaching an ethical problem in the ED is put forth, which can be adapted appropriately to individual situations.